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Red Bull Ford remains F1 engine benchmark under FIA ADUO review
The FIA has released the results of its second evaluation period for the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) mechanism, a system designed to ensure competitive parity for the 2026 Formula 1 engine regulations. The findings confirm that Red Bull Ford Powertrains remains the benchmark for internal combustion engine performance, meaning the team receives no additional development concessions.
Other manufacturers have been granted varying levels of support based on their performance deficit relative to the Red Bull benchmark. Mercedes is classified within the 2% to 4% deficit range, qualifying for one additional engine homologation in both 2026 and 2027, along with increased budget cap headroom and expanded dyno-testing allowances. Ferrari, Audi, and Honda are all identified as being more than 4% behind the benchmark, granting them two additional homologations for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons, plus corresponding financial and testing benefits.
The results have sparked debate within the paddock, as some teams noted a discrepancy between these engine-specific measurements and overall on-track performance, which includes electrical components and energy management. The FIA has maintained that its findings are based on robust data regarding the internal combustion engine alone and has declined to release specific performance indices due to the confidential nature of the technical data.
Entities
FIA · Ferrari · Mercedes · Nikolas Tombazis · Red Bull Ford Powertrains · Red Bull-Ford
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ferrari, Audi, and Honda power units are more than 4% behind the benchmark. www.f1head.nl · www.sportskeeda.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The second ADUO evaluation period concluded following the Hungarian Grand Prix. www.f1head.nl · www.sportskeeda.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Mercedes' power unit is between 2% and 4% behind the Red Bull-Ford benchmark. www.f1head.nl · www.sportskeeda.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Audi, Ferrari, and Honda are granted two additional power unit homologations for 2026 and 2027. www.sportskeeda.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mercedes is granted one additional power unit homologation for both 2026 and 2027. www.sportskeeda.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Red Bull-Ford is the benchmark power unit for the second consecutive ADUO review period. www.f1head.nl · www.sportskeeda.com